nano Shortcuts

Every keybinding you need. Search, filter, and practice.

Arrow KeysNavigation

Move cursor

Move cursor one character or line at a time.

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Ctrl+ANavigation

Start of line

Jump to the beginning of the current line.

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Ctrl+ENavigation

End of line

Jump to the end of the current line.

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Ctrl+YNavigation

Page up

Scroll up one page.

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Ctrl+VNavigation

Page down

Scroll down one page.

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Alt+\Navigation

Start of file

Jump to the very beginning of the file.

Alt+/Navigation

End of file

Jump to the very end of the file.

Ctrl+_Navigation

Go to line

Jump to a specific line number.

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HomeNavigation

Home

Jump to start of line (same as Ctrl+A).

EndNavigation

End

Jump to end of line (same as Ctrl+E).

Ctrl+KEditing

Cut line

Cut the current line (or selected region) to the cut buffer.

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Ctrl+UEditing

Paste

Paste from the cut buffer.

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Alt+6Editing

Copy line

Copy the current line (or selected region) to the cut buffer.

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Ctrl+6Editing

Set mark

Set the mark to start selecting text.

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Alt+AEditing

Set mark (alt)

Alternative key to set the mark.

Alt+UEditing

Undo

Undo the last action.

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Alt+EEditing

Redo

Redo the last undone action.

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BackspaceEditing

Delete back

Delete the character before the cursor.

DeleteEditing

Delete forward

Delete the character under the cursor.

EnterEditing

New line

Insert a new line at the cursor position.

TabEditing

Insert tab

Insert a tab character.

Ctrl+WSearch

Search

Open the search prompt to find text in the file.

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Ctrl+\Search

Replace

Search for text and replace it.

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Alt+WSearch

Find next

Repeat the last search.

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Ctrl+OFiles

Write out (save)

Save the current file to disk.

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Ctrl+XFiles

Exit

Exit nano. Prompts to save if modified.

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F2Files

Write out (F2)

Alternative key to save the file.

Ctrl+GToggles

Help

Toggle the help screen.

EscToggles

Cancel prompt

Cancel the current prompt or operation.